La Casa del Reloj / San Pedro del Pinatar
Always on the look out for interesting trips, not far away from Torrevieja, I happened upon San Pedro del Pinatar.
Travelling in the direction of Cartagena, I arrived at San Pedro, a well known beach resort on Spain´s Costa Calida. Located at the shores of Mar Menor, Europe´s biggest salt lake separated from the Mediterranean by a 24km long sand bank known as La Manga, San Pedro is famous for the mud found at the bottom of the salt lake. It has healing properties and people happily cover themselves in the healthy dirt. But this, mind you, is a summer entertainment and we are still in winter.
I went with friends in the know and they showed me the subject of this post: La Casa del Reloj, a historical building which is today a restaurant and I got so fascinated I nearly didn’t want to go anywhere else.
You have to know the location and to watch out, because, sadly, this beautiful building is surrounded by a hideous industrial estate. Not even a more or less nice shopping mall, no, run down low budget outlets, a shame.
But, turn into the drive and the palm alley which leads to the front door, crossing through the lush gardens and you forget what lurks outside.
La Case del Reloj was built as a summer residence for the Servet family between 1888 and 1895 and shows a great variety of styles and architectural elements. Attention to detail, lavish decorations, chandeliers, art deco lamps, original furniture, a wide wooden staircase and a very glamorous bar, you really don´t know where to look first.
In 1899 the first president of the first Spanish Republic, Emilio Castelar died here which makes the premises even more of a historical building.
We were too early to have a meal, but a glance at the menu revealed the hand of a first class chef. Mouthwatering starters, meat and fresh fish dishes as well as a few traditional Spanish specialties made me reluctant to depart. I would have liked to sample some, especially a lobster salad. I could subsist on lobster.
Alas, it was not to be this time, but I enjoyed the rooms, the already laid tables and fine crockery, the paintings and sculptures. La Casa del Reloj is one of these places where surroundings are as important as the food.
If you want to know more and take a look at the menu, visit their website: http://www.restaurantelacasadelreloj.com.
We made our way into San Pedro proper and looked at the areas where people can enjoy the mud and had a walk along the lovely promenade with plenty of nice cafes and a great view over La Manga and Mar Menor.
